Statement, since withdrawn, followed ex-minister becoming third Conservative MP to join Reform in just over a week

The Conservatives are facing a backlash after claiming that Suella Braverman defected to Reform UK following “mental health” issues, as the former home secretary finally joined Nigel Farage’s party after months of denials.

Braverman, who was sacked from the cabinet by both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, became the third sitting Conservative MP to defect in little over a week. She immediately went on the attack against her former party.